Sunday 11 January 2015 09:28, UK
Brendan Rodgers says Jordan Henderson is ready to become the next Liverpool captain after he wore the armband during Saturday's 1-0 win over Sunderland.
Long-standing club captain Steven Gerrard, who will leave Liverpool to join Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, was substituted at half-time at the Stadium of Light as a precautionary measure after complaining of a tight hamstring and Henderson skippered the team in the second half.
The 24-year-old was made vice-captain by Rodgers at the start of the season and the Liverpool boss is convinced that the former Sunderland midfielder is the player best equipped to lead the next generation at the club.
He said: "I've obviously made him a vice-captain of the club and he has really grown, not just as a footballer but as a young lad.
"You saw his quality today - his leadership and his power. He is a fantastic young man and that was the reason for giving him it.
"When Steven isn't on the field he is a real leader for us and there is no question he can go on and become captain at the club."
Lazar Markovic's ninth-minute goal ultimately proved enough for Liverpool - although Sunderland briefly rallied, despite having Liam Bridcutt sent off four minutes into the second half for a second bookable offence.
Lacking the impact of Gerrard, the visitors failed to make the game safe and were almost made to pay when Adam Johnson lashed a long-range effort against the underside of the bar.
Rodgers added: "I thought we were outstanding in the first half and had real control of the game. We hit the crossbar and should have had a penalty and had one or two other chances.
"We started the second half well but the sending-off threw us a little bit for 10 minutes. As long as it's only 1-0, you're always tentative but defensively I thought we were excellent under pressure."
